The podcast highlights the dangerous manipulation faced by vulnerable individuals online, illustrated through Tessa Dorsey’s encounter with a predator posing as an artist.
It explores the dark web's role as a haven for illegal pornography, emphasizing how anonymity fosters a culture of brutality and exploitation.
The investigation into Matthew Folder, alias 666Devil, showcases the complex nature of dual identities among predators and the diligence required for law enforcement to combat these threats.
Deep dives
Tessa Dorsey's Disturbing Encounter
At just 16, Tessa Dorsey experiences a troubling communication after posting a babysitting advertisement online. She receives a message from someone named Liz Kandel proposing to pay her £1,200 in exchange for topless or nude photos, claiming to seek artistic inspiration. Upon recognizing the danger, Tessa quickly realizes Liz is likely a predatory figment intended to exploit her. When she threatens to report Liz, the conversation turns hostile, underscoring the sinister manipulation often faced by vulnerable individuals online.
The Dark Web's Dangers
The podcast delves into the treacherous realm of the dark web, highlighting its dual nature as a refuge for free speech and a haven for criminal activity. Within this illicit sphere, illegal pornography thrives, particularly through forums that cater to extreme fetishes like Hurtcore, which glorifies violence against non-consenting victims. Experts emphasize how the anonymity of this space fosters a culture where brutality can be shared and celebrated. This dark underbelly poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies, as they combat the proliferation of child exploitation material.
Lux: The King of Hurtcore
The narrative follows a character known as Lux, who builds a notorious online empire dedicated to distributing child exploitation content. Self-identified as a pediatrician, Lux exploits this facade to gain trust within a user base that celebrates depravity. His growth within this segment highlights a concerning dynamic where predators find community and validation, enabling them to share and create abusive content. Lux's eventual fall from grace serves as both a victory for investigative efforts and a reminder of the ongoing struggle against online exploitation.
Matthew Folder's Deceptive Persona
Matthew Folder, an unsuspecting academic, emerges as the next primary predator of note, later known as 666 Devil. While posing as an engaging and sociable individual in real life, he secretly orchestrates a web of coercion and abuse online, targeting vulnerable individuals. His tactics mirror those of his predecessors, leveraging false identities to instigate fear and compliance among his victims. The uncovering of his activities calls into question the ability of law enforcement to detect such well-hidden dangers lurking behind seemingly normal facades.
Operation Kakam: The Pursuit of Justice
Operation Kakam marks a significant international effort to dismantle Folder's intricate web of criminal activity. Through collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies, investigators begin to connect the dots between Folder's online and offline identities. The meticulous process of gathering intel culminates in Folder's arrest, exposing the shocking duality of his life as a respected academic by day and a manipulative predator by night. This case underscores the relentless, ongoing battle against online child exploitation and the psychological damage inflicted upon countless victims.
In 2013, a forum appeared on the dark web called Hurt2theCore. Run by an anonymous user known only as Lux, it was a digital cesspool dedicated to one of the most vile subgenres of illicit pornography. It quickly became Lux’s most notorious creation and drew the attention of global law enforcement.
As investigators delved into its murky depths, they found themselves up against one of the dark web’s most depraved predators - a shadowy figure known only as 666Devil…
